55 Cross Street

About the building

Source : Abergavenny Pubs, Frank Olding “The Porter Stores, also known as the Vaults, the Ale and Porter Stores or the Spirit Vaults”

Front built in 1897

Source : Abergavenny Local History Society Survey 1980:

Nos. 55 and 54 were one house until they were divided in 1811 by William Williams.  In 1816, this part is described as “a dwelling house with bedroom over the kitchen, table, hayloft and garden, now walled off from the premises lately occupied by William Williams

In 1860, having become a Public House, it is described as “… dwelling house with a malt room, formerly a bedroom over the smoking room, formerly the kitchen;   a brewery formerly the stable and hayloft;   a kitchen, formerly a workshop;  a yard, formerly the garden and a pigsty, formerly an alcove.

The present building, of one gable only was built in 1897 and can be seen in its original state, without the 1933 extension, on page 117 of the 1906 Guide to Abergavenny.  It is constructed of new red sandstone

(See also no. 54)

 

Recent history

Text to come here.

Previous occupiers

Other information

source : Abergavenny Local History Society Survey 1980:

Nos 54 and 55 were one house and the first recorded resident is the surgeon, William Baghott, who leased it from John Hanbury Williams, certainly from 1776, possibly from 1771.

William Williams, saddler, and his son of the same name, a miller, lived here between 1809 and 1811 when William split the house into two separate premises, letting this part to John Jones, the shoemaker from no.52.    William and Elizabeth Lewis, hatters, bought this property in 1816 and worked here.

In 1851, as well as Ebenezer Michael (painter, plumber & decorator), property was also occupied by Hannah Williams, staymaker, and her sister Ann Williams, straw-bonnet maker

Elizabeth Lewis (Hatter, along with William Lewis) in her will of 1846 , left her “furnaces” (this word is queried), leaden kettle, stove and all implements of her trade to her workman, Isaac Restall (see no.57 Cross Street)

View from Brewery Yard – Nos 54/55                      56                           57

 

If you have any further information about this property please email alhs@live.co.uk